Prerequisite

Students are expected to have completed IB Computer Science I with a C or better.

Description

In this course we will continue to study the fundamental aspects of programming and computer science. We will learn programming concepts using the Java programming language. Other topics of the IB curriculum will be covered as well. Students will complete a variety of class activities and programming assignments to facilitate their understanding of the course material. The course will focus on preparation for the IB exam, which includes completion of the internal assessment and Group 4 project. Students will have an opportunity to address a real-world problem and go through the software development cycle to create a solution.

Organization

Class time will be divided between lecture and lab. I will lecture at the beginning of the class period, and the remaining time will be used for lab. The course will be structured such that all assignments, materials, and resources may be found on the course website.

Grades will follow the following guidelines. Please make note of the grading scale because grades will not be rounded up.

Labs & Assignments

Labs are a fundamental part of this course, and there will be many labs throughout each quarter. Some labs will cover only a few days, while others may take several weeks. All lab assignments will be posted on the course website, along with detailed instructions and due dates. I am available for help during second lunch or after school upon request. Labs may also be completed on a home computer. Late assignments will be accepted with a penalty of 5% each day, after the due date. NO late assignments will be accepted after three days.

Internal Assessment

The internal assessment component of the IB examination requires students to address a single problem and solve it using computer systems. The analysis and development of the entire system will be well-documented and graded. Guidance through each section of the solution will be provided, and will be periodically collected for grading. By the end of the year, the final system as well as the technical documentation shall be completed and submitted for final review.

Tests & Quizzes

There will be tests and quizzes throughout the year. Makeup quizzes are allowed provided that there is an excused absence. Tests and quizzes will be structured similarly; quizzes however will be shorter in length. Tests will generally be given after the completion of each major unit, and will be designed to prepare the student for the IB examination.

Class Performance

Students are expected to discuss topics and concepts during both whole-class discussions and small group discussions. When we are working on a lab or assignment, students are to stay on task by either working on their assignment, or by assisting another student with their assignment. Tardiness and unexcused absences will take away from class performance.

Attendance Policies

Arriving 1-19 minutes late is reported as a tardy

3 unexcused tardies -> detention

5+ unexcused tardies -> administrative referral

Arriving 20+ minutes late is reported as an absence

3+ unexcused absences -> administrative referral

Academic Integrity

In this course, collaboration among students is encouraged. However, copying another’s work or allowing your work to be copied is not acceptable and is a violation of Washington-Lee’s academic integrity policy. Students will be asked to sign an honor pledge for each lab or major assignment. By signing the pledge, students acknowledge their understanding of the honor policy and that they have not violated that policy in any way. The pledge states either:
"On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received information on this assignment."
or"On my honor, I pledge that I have given [received] information on this assignment to [from] the following individual(s) …."

Java Topics

Primitive data types

Input and Output

Selection Statements and Looping

Methods

Arrays

Classes and Objects

Strings

Files

Inheritance

GUI

Programs

IB Topics

System fundamentals

Computer organization

Networks

Computational thinking, problem-solving, & programming

Abstract data structures

Resource management

Control

Options

Object-oriented programming

Web science

Additional IB Components

Arlington Public Schools (APS) pays for the examination fees for all IB classes. Any student who registers for an IB class, but chooses not to complete the required internal assessment and/or sit for the May examination must pay a drop fee. All fees are established by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Additionally, as outlined in the APS Program of Studies, students who do not complete the required assessments will not earn the additional quality point.

Exam

Paper 1 (2h 10m) - Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

Paper 2 (1h 20m) - Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

Paper 3 (1h) - Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

Solution (Internal Assessment)

"The solution is an individual piece of work that develops a solution including product to a specified problem or unanswered question." -IB CS Guide

A year-long individual programming project

Case study

"The knowledge and understanding of additional content, discussion of an issue and/or the formulation of strategies linked to the annually issued case study

TBA

Group 4 Project

A collaborative activity where students from different group 4 subjects work together on a scientific or technological topic, allowing for concepts and perceptions from across the disciplines to be shared.